Starters may see more action

Tuesday

Aug 25, 2009 at 6:00 AM

By Rich Garven TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

There are four preseason games, but they are not all created equal.

After a pair of mix-and-match contests that saw lots of experimenting with personnel and packages the Patriots figure to look more like, well, the Patriots when they play their next exhibition. That’ll be Friday on the road against the Redskins and it’s as close as you’ll get to an actual NFL game this time of year.

Teams frequently play their starters deep into the third quarter in the third preseason game. It’s a dress rehearsal for the regular season and that extends somewhat to the preparation leading up to the game.

Coach Bill Belichick said there wouldn’t be much in the way of game planning for the Redskins. But time would be devoted to getting familiar with Washington’s first-stringers and their tendencies.

“We can’t control what Washington does and I’m not really worried about that,” Belichick said. “But we focus on the players that probably play a little bit longer and we did less of that the first couple weeks because we saw so many different people at different positions and that’s kind of what we expected. It’s more of getting used to the preparation routine.”

Belichick was, as one would expect, elusive on the subject of his veterans playing in the second half for the first time this preseason.

“I’m sure some of our players will play a little more than they did last week,” he said. “There will be some players that play a little less. That will vary player to player, position to position and so forth. It’s definitely another step and part of that progression is our preparation during the week and in some cases maybe extended playing time in the game.”

As for the Redskins, Belichick praised all facets of their team. He gave a particular nod to the defense.

“The Redskins, defensively, are probably as good as any defense we’ll face,” Belichick said. “They have an outstanding (defense), really across the board.

Linebacker Tedy Bruschi returned to practice Aug. 16 after missing 16 days while his 36-year-old body slowly recovered from an unspecified ailment.

Bruschi saw time in a second-string role against Cincinnati last week after sitting out the preseason opener. Fourteen-year veteran or not, the work was welcome and necessary.

“(He) has had more of an opportunity in practice the last couple weeks and that certainly helped him with his timing,” Belichick said. “Obviously, he’s a very experienced player and knowing what to do and all of that isn’t a huge issue. But timing and recognition and reaction times and all of that, that’s something that you can’t train for.

“You’ve got to be out there and experience it on the field with your teammates. It’s been good for him. He’s gotten a lot more opportunity to do that and more (Sunday). I think that’s something that he needed. I think every player needs it.”

There have been whispers — anything louder would constitute heresy — that Bruschi hasn’t shown enough to make the team. Jerod Mayo knows Bruschi has shown him plenty.

“I’ve picked up a lot (from him),” Mayo said. “How to be a professional on and off the field. The longevity that he has had in New England is just amazing. “

Asked if he could picture the Patriots without Bruschi, Mayo provided a response that was both expected and unexpectedly wise.

“No, I can’t honestly,” the second-year pro said before pointing out, “The NFL is a crazy business, but I love having him around.”

Right tackle Nick Kaczur is entering his fifth NFL season, all with the Patriots. It looks as though he’ll be around here for another four years.

The Boston Globe reported yesterday Kaczur and the Patriots have come to terms on a three-year, $12.2-million extension that runs through 2012. Kaczur is currently in the final year of his rookie contract, signed after the Patriots drafted him in the third round (100th overall) in 2005.

Kaczur has started 49 of the 54 regular-season games he’s appeared in. He’s considered a solid run blocker, but so-so in pass protection.

The Patriots decision to commit to Kaczur could ultimately have repercussions at the other end of the offensive line.

Left tackle Matt Light’s contract expires after the 2010 season and he appears destined to be the odd man out. Kaczur is apparently secure on the right side and rookie Sebastain Vollmer — he of the 6-foot-8, 315-pound frame that’s perfectly suited to protect Brady’s blindside — showed himself in camp to be a player whose time is coming quicker than most everyone expected.

Tight end Benjamin Watson spent more time off the field than on it during training camp and he has yet to make a preseason appearance due to a nagging injury.

That’s not good when you’re one of four players at your position competing for what could be as few as two spots.

Watson’s been around here since 2004 so he knows the way things work. Still, he said he “definitely” felt behind and didn’t deny feeling like he was under the gun — his own, that is.

“There’s always pressure that you put on yourself,” Watson said. “You’d be surprised how little pressure the training staff and the coaches put on you (to get back). Usually when you’re an athlete — or whatever you do for a living — you put pressure on yourself to be the best that you can be. There’s definitely pressure that I put on myself, but at the same time there’s a reason you can’t perform and it is what it is.”